Tim McDermott “Identity. Calling. Assignment”

For those in work transition…

Identity. Calling. Assignment.

Our industry continues to evolve.   The big are getting bigger and people continue to be on the move.   Changing jobs in radio or radio promotions is not new.  I worked with a broadcasting legend years ago who worked at 38 stations in 38 years.  That’s the nature of our business – moving up and around for new opportunities.  And it’s why I wanted to share something that is really important – especially if you are in transition. 

There are three terms you need to really understand.  Not just what they are, but how they are different.   

Identity.  Calling.  Assignment. 

Identity is who we are in Christ.  We are adopted children, redeemed and forgiven, loved, set apart and more.  There are many Bible verses and articles about who we are in Christ and the great benefits.  This never changes.  It is permanent.

Calling is related to your life’s purpose.  I remember as a 12-year-old boy sitting at my parent’s kitchen table in Royersford, PA seeing a brochure about reaching the world through media.  Something inside me leaped and said this is what I want to do.   This was my calling.   Yours may be similar.  It’s your life purpose and it rarely changes.

Assignment.  It’s what you do.  It’s temporary and it could change many times.  In our profession it’s common for us to move from one radio station to another or one assignment to another.  I used to say they should teach How to Pack a Uhaul Trailer for broadcasting students.  Here’s a key point.  The faster we are at accepting that one assignment is over and now it’s time to focus on the next one, the healthier we are.   If you keep looking back at the good old days, you will never achieve the future God has for you. 

Having said that, here’s the big problem. Mixing up Identity and assignment.   Identity doesn’t change.  Assignments do.  We may have achieved such great success and joy in one assignment or been there so long that it becomes our identity.    That label may even come from others.  When I was in Houston, some people would call me, Mr. KSBJ. But that was not my identity, it was my assignment.  Now I have a new assignment. My identity is not in a radio station, but in Christ.

So when the next change comes, and it will, just tell yourself your assignment there is done.  It’s time to move on to the next one where God has something great for you.

Tim McDermott is currently on assignment as CFO of Far East Broadcasting. He can be reached at tmcdermott@febc.org